Matt Simon heads home a hat-trick

Matty Simon has headed home a hat-trick in the Central Coast Mariners’ pre-season hit out against Central Coast United where the Yellow & Navy emerged 4-0 winners.

The run down

To cap off Simon’s trio of headers, Mario Shabow chipped in with a goal of his own in a great night for Central Coast Football. It was the first time that the Mariners have shared the pitch with United, played out in front of an impressive crowd who all chipped in to raise much needed funds for farmers in need.

The Central Coast Mariners kicked off proceedings in style with a brace to Matty Simon in the opening 10 minutes. In true Simon fashion, both crosses were met by the head of a leaping Simon that both flew into the back of the net.

Simon’s brace would be the only two goals in the first half but the Yellow & Navy weren’t without their chances, keeping majority of the possession and field position.

Two minutes after Simon’s second goal, centre back Kalifa Cisse bombed forward for a set piece but his point-blank volley flew just over the crossbar.

In the 15th minute Jacob Melling tried a strike of his own from distance that was bound for the bottom corner, only to be denied by a diving Jack O’Malley. Josh Macdonald then fired a shot from a tough angle which drew O’Malley into another impressive save to keep his side in the hunt.

Heading into the half time break, the Mariners continued to pile the pressure on United but their back four and keeper remained resolute and up to the task – the Mariners hit the sheds with a 2-0 lead.

The Yellow & Navy kicked off the second half with a bang when Shabow turned home a Simon header to make it 3-0. It was then 4-0 when Simon made it a trio of headers, sealing a pre-season hat-trick.

It was a much quieter affair in the closing 30 minutes of play where a spirited United outfit created a couple of chances of their own, but the game ended 4-0 in favour of Mike Mulvey’s Mariners.

The Central Coast Mariners would like to thank Central Coast United who held themselves proudly in what was a valuable pre-season hit out. Thanks also to the boisterous crowd who created a great atmosphere at Pluim Park.

GOALS

4’ SIMON (1-0): A looping cross from the right floated into the box and Matty Simon jumped above the pack to head home from point blank range.

9’ SIMON (2-0): The head of Simon mate it 2-0 thanks to a precision set piece by Jack Clisby. Clisby’s ball to the back post was met by a perfect header by Simon that floated in and off the back post.

51’ SHABOW (3-0): For the third goal of the evening, Simon turned creator and headed a ball across the face of goal. Mario Shabow was on hand to shoot into an open net.

59’ SIMON (4-0): A hat-trick of headers! Simon buried his third header of the night to make it 4-0, this time it was a diving effort on the back post.